US5358282A - Optical night sky imageer - Google Patents
Optical night sky imageer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5358282A US5358282A US08/021,479 US2147993A US5358282A US 5358282 A US5358282 A US 5358282A US 2147993 A US2147993 A US 2147993A US 5358282 A US5358282 A US 5358282A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- negative image
- white
- face
- focussing
- image
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 9
- 206010047571 Visual impairment Diseases 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 241000287181 Sturnus vulgaris Species 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000004397 blinking Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000763 evoking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/22—Optical, colour, or shadow toys
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44F—SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
- B44F1/00—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects
Definitions
- the invention relates to after image effects and particularly to a device and method for producing after images.
- apparatus for producing a positive optical afterimage comprising an image carrier having a negative image of high contrast corresponding to a desired positive afterimage marked on a face of the carrier thereof so as to be within a visual field of a user and a focussing target marked on a generally central location of the negative image.
- the invention also provides a method for producing a preselected positive optical afterimage comprising the steps of providing an image carrier; marking the surface of the image carrier with a negative image of high contrast corresponding to the preselected positive afterimage so as to be within a visual field of a user; gazing steadily at an approximately dentral location of the image for a period of at least a few seconds and, preferably one minute, in good light; and subsequently staring fixedly at one of a fixed location and direction on one of a blank wall or other plain background, and the sky at night causing a positive afterimage of the negative image to gradually appear.
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the embodiment of the instant invention in use
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the embodiment of the instant invention per se.
- the figures of the imaging apparatus comprises a card 10 approximately 2" ⁇ 3.5" in size having a negative image of a veiled woman's face 12 (St. Theresa) printed or otherwise applied on an upper half of the surface thereof below which are printed and a set of instructions 13 for use.
- the negative image has a generally black face with features marked in white and surrounded by a white cowl itself surrounded completely by a circular black area.
- the card surface itself provides a white background.
- the negative image includes four white focussing target dots 14 located in mutually spaced apart relation, two on the middle of the nose and two adjacent and below the tip of the nose.
- a person 15 gazes at the four dots 14, preferably without blinking, for one minute, then looks away and stares fixedly at a fixed location on a wall 16 or Other plain background, preferably the sky at night. A positive after image 17 of the negative image will gradually appear to the person.
- the period necessary for gazing at the dots 14 can be decreased in very bright direct sunlight to as little as a few seconds for the positive afterimage effect to be experienced.
Landscapes
- Stereoscopic And Panoramic Photography (AREA)
Abstract
An imageer comprises a card printed with a negative image of a veiled woman's face and a set of instructions for use. The negative image has a generally black face with features marked in white and surrounded by a cowl, itself surrounded completely by a circular black area and further includes four white focussing target dots located in mutually spaced apart relation, two on the middle of the nose and two adjacent and below the tip of the nose. In use, a person gazes at the four dots, preferably without blinking, for approximately one minute, then looks away and stares fixedly at a fixed location on a wall or other plain background, preferably the sky at night. A positive afterimage of the negative image will gradually appear to the person.
Description
The invention relates to after image effects and particularly to a device and method for producing after images.
Afterimage effects in which a visual response is produced after a visual stimulus has been removed are known but not well understood.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,968 issued to Sherwin et al on Sep. 4, 1990 teaches a method and apparatus for testing potentials evoked by visual stimuli; U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,059 issued to Horn on Oct. 29, 1991 teaches a method and apparatus for visual field testing and U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,511 issued to Marban on Nov. 13, 1973 teaches apparatus for simulating a flickering light. However none of the above mentioned patents are indicative of the present invention.
It is an object of the invention to provide an imaging method and apparatus by which a person can experience a positive afterimage phenomenon from viewing a negative image.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for producing a positive optical afterimage comprising an image carrier having a negative image of high contrast corresponding to a desired positive afterimage marked on a face of the carrier thereof so as to be within a visual field of a user and a focussing target marked on a generally central location of the negative image.
The invention also provides a method for producing a preselected positive optical afterimage comprising the steps of providing an image carrier; marking the surface of the image carrier with a negative image of high contrast corresponding to the preselected positive afterimage so as to be within a visual field of a user; gazing steadily at an approximately dentral location of the image for a period of at least a few seconds and, preferably one minute, in good light; and subsequently staring fixedly at one of a fixed location and direction on one of a blank wall or other plain background, and the sky at night causing a positive afterimage of the negative image to gradually appear.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the embodiment of the instant invention in use;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the embodiment of the instant invention per se.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements throughout the several views, the figures of the imaging apparatus comprises a card 10 approximately 2"×3.5" in size having a negative image of a veiled woman's face 12 (St. Theresa) printed or otherwise applied on an upper half of the surface thereof below which are printed and a set of instructions 13 for use. As shown, the negative image has a generally black face with features marked in white and surrounded by a white cowl itself surrounded completely by a circular black area. The card surface itself provides a white background.
The negative image includes four white focussing target dots 14 located in mutually spaced apart relation, two on the middle of the nose and two adjacent and below the tip of the nose.
In use, a person 15 gazes at the four dots 14, preferably without blinking, for one minute, then looks away and stares fixedly at a fixed location on a wall 16 or Other plain background, preferably the sky at night. A positive after image 17 of the negative image will gradually appear to the person.
The period necessary for gazing at the dots 14 can be decreased in very bright direct sunlight to as little as a few seconds for the positive afterimage effect to be experienced.
Claims (7)
1. An optical imageer article of manufacture for producing a positive optical afterimage comprising an image carrier having a negative image of high contrast corresponding to a desired positive afterimage marked on a face of the carrier thereof so as to be within a visual field of a user and a focussing target marked on a generally central location of the negative image, wherein the negative image is a generally black face with white features and surrounded by a white veil, itself surrounded completely by a circular black area.
2. The optical imageer article of manufacture according to claim 1 in which the focussing target comprises a series of white focussing target dots arranged in mutually spaced apart relation on a dark portion of the negative image.
3. The optical imageer article of manufacture according to claim 1 in which the focussing target comprises four focussing target dots marked in mutually spaced apart relation of the face and on a black portion of the face at an approximately central location, two focussing target dots on the middle of a nose and two focussing target dots adjacent and below the tip of a nose.
4. The optical imageer article of manufacture according to claim 1 in which the image carrier is a card of size 2 inches by 3.5 inches and directions for use are also marked on the surface of the card adjacent the negative image.
5. A method for producing a preselected positive optical afterimage comprising the steps of:
a) providing an image carrier;
b) marking the surface of the image carrier with a negative image of high contrast corresponding to the preselected positive afterimage so as to be within a visual field of a user and having a focusing target at an approximately central location thereof wherein, the negative image is a generally black face with white features and surrounded by a white veil, itself surrounded completely by a circular black area;
c) gazing steadily at an approximately central location of the image for a period of at least a few seconds in good light; and
d) subsequently staring fixedly at a plain background, causing a positive afterimage of the negative image to gradually appear.
6. A method according to claim 5 in which the focussing target comprises a series of dots arranged in mutually spaced apart relation on an approximately central location of a black portion of the negative image.
7. The method according to claim 5 in which there are four white focussing target dots marked in mutually spaced apart relation on the approximately central location of a black portion of the face, two focussing target dots on the middle of a nose and two focussing target dots adjacent and below the tip of the nose.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/021,479 US5358282A (en) | 1993-02-22 | 1993-02-22 | Optical night sky imageer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/021,479 US5358282A (en) | 1993-02-22 | 1993-02-22 | Optical night sky imageer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US5358282A true US5358282A (en) | 1994-10-25 |
Family
ID=21804476
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/021,479 Expired - Fee Related US5358282A (en) | 1993-02-22 | 1993-02-22 | Optical night sky imageer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5358282A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6792707B1 (en) | 2000-03-15 | 2004-09-21 | Mark Setteducati | Personalized animation by selective reflection |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5098129A (en) * | 1990-04-04 | 1992-03-24 | Robert Haber | Business card assembly with self-adhesive backing |
-
1993
- 1993-02-22 US US08/021,479 patent/US5358282A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5098129A (en) * | 1990-04-04 | 1992-03-24 | Robert Haber | Business card assembly with self-adhesive backing |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6792707B1 (en) | 2000-03-15 | 2004-09-21 | Mark Setteducati | Personalized animation by selective reflection |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
| REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
| LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
| STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
| FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20021025 |